Chess Puzzle #3a3lV — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2008 · Expert · crushing, endgame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; rook a7; bishop e4; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook b8; bishop e6; pawns b5/f7/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop e4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxe6 — queen e5→e6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Bxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1q2k1/R4p1p/4b3/1p2Q1p1/4B3/7P/5PPK/8 b - - 0 28

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.